Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific has further strengthened its creative team, with the appointment of Yoshiya Ayugai as Executive Producer, Animation. Reporting to Silas Hickey, Creative Director, Asia Pacific Animation Development, this newly created role highlights the increasing importance Turner is placing on the development of top-quality original production in the Asia Pacific region.

Based in Hong Kong, Mr. Ayugai will be responsible for the production of original animated content, and creative supervision for shorts, series and long-form productions. He will be working with the region’s most dynamic animation studios from Mumbai to Manila and Seoul to Sydney — and everywhere in between — to produce comedy and adventure-inspired content that animates kids’ lives.

The appointment coincides with Turner’s commitment to bolstering original production in the Asia Pacific region, with multiple animation projects underway in markets such as India, Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia.

Rick Fernandes, Executive Director, Original Production and Development, Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc. said, “Yoshiya is a terrific asset to the team and together with Silas will make a formidable creative force in the region. In an industry where content is king and story is key, Yoshiya will no doubt inspire even more compelling content that reflects the Cartoon Network brand personality that is ultimately fun, funny, fearless, and surprising.”

Prior to this position, Mr. Ayugai held several posts at Disney, including Creative Executive at Walt Disney TV in Burbank, and a tenure as Manager of Development for Walt Disney Animation Japan, working closely with Disney Toon Studios.

He was a producer for Cartoon Network Productions Japan, a new division focusing on co-production projects such as Powerpuff Girls Z, after which he returned to Disney to produce Stitch! with leading Japanese studios Shin-Ei and Mad House Productions.